The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1887-11-17

1925 Fischer was talking gaily with his
guard. Spies had lit another oigar and was
talking to his keeper He exhibiedt signl
of nervousness. He had just received a
letter and Parsons a telegram. Engel YVES
walking up and down his cell. He was
offered some stimulant, but refused it. Ali
of the men were composed except Parsons.
who YVES slightly nervous, but otherwise ali
right
At 1880 County Physician Meyer tooR
his leave of TIE men to whose health he hi,
been daily ministering for the past seventeen
months. All Of them shook him by the hand
but not one of them displayed the slightest
emotion.
From 10 to II Spies occupied himself in
reading paper. The others paced up and
down their cells, stopping at every turn to
look out through the bars like Gagged ami
mails.
At 1870 the jury fell in and took their
places in the double row of chairs which
have been reserved in front of the press
tables. The spectators of whom there were
less than two hundred, were admitted to thu
rear. Altogether the corridor was not half
filed. The cells on the first floor as well as
those on the two upper tiers had basn emp
tied OF their occupants. The gathering was
quiet and decor ous. Hats were removed
and cigars thrown away. There was mona
of the crowG1ng, pushing, smoking, swear
ing mob that disgraoed the execution of the
Italians two years ago.
The names Of tine jurors were called and
each one responded. Then there was quiet
deep awful quiet. 1t was as though every
man had ceased breathing; as if hearts had
stood still; as if the blood was congealing in
the veins Of the anxious spectators. The
stiffness was broken by IA wall weird
gruesOme sound. 1t was only the pet jail
cat, bat it paled the cheek of many man
who at another time would have made the
evsnt q source of hilarity The animal
which had been secured in an adjoining
cage was taken out and again the stiffness
of suspense. Through the high barred
panes Of glass directly back of the scaffold
a score Of armed men were visible. They
were as motionless as statues, their guns at
their shoulders, and the muzzles bear di-
rectly on the gallows window.
The moments passed on A repord gained
currency that the sheriff was holding off
until the last moment in expectation that
something would be heard from Springfield
Suddenly the face Of Deputy Gleason was
seen at the entrance of the corridor leading
to the scalfold. His face was white, he was
trembling iii every limb he raised his
hand. The moment had arrived. The
shuffiing of feet heard in the corridor
1t was II 40 to the minute Sheriff Matson
appeared. his back to the gathering, he was
facing the procession. Spies came into
view first, with u broad-shouldered bailiff
on his right; next came Fischer, then Engel
All three stepped from the second tier OF
cells to the sCafold, while the spectators
drew a long breath. 'Parsons is saved,
was the word that went around, but it was
-.
peared.
The four men were placed upon the trap.
All were CHASTITY pale. Spies hair seemed
TO literally stand upon end. EngeIs Shout
ders seemed nearly to touch the top of his
head. Parsons set his teeth firmly together
and looked down calmly upon the crowd
beneath. His face was the face of a man
of iron. A nurmur of admiration for his
unfinching nery5 went through the specta-
tors. Engel turned around aud said some
thing inaudible to the deputy. 1t was evil
IDENTIFY of ocular character for the con
demued man laughed heartily. Fischer
looked at him g moment and then he too
put an a remark Spies and Parsons at
either end of the scatfoid maintained a solid
and dignified demeanor, but there was a look
Of ul4utterable woe upon the face of the ex
editor. which pierced the hearts of those sur
already been ad justed before the men left
thor cells Nothing remained but to encir-
clio each neck with the moose and to cover
EACH head with the cap.
Jaiior Folz approached Spies, quick
movement SO quick that it could hardly be
siotioed, and the rope was around mis- neck.
There was not . nlovement of a muscle. The
Eane stolid look, the same Woe bsgone look
from the eyes. Folz moved a step, and in
moment the throat of Fischer was encircIed
by tho moose. He moved his head up and
down, as if it hurt him. Engel did not
move as the operation was being performed.
Parsons riveted his gaze on the ground, and
his features were contracted All four were
evidently determined to die game. A
deputy approached Spies with the cap in
his hands. The condemned man said some
thing in an uudertone. He was evidently
demonstrating The deputy wavered for a
moment. Spies continued to speak more
earnestly. The deputy looked at the sheriff.
The latter closed his eyes. 1t was enough
The cap was quickly drawn over the face of
the Anarchist loader. 1t had been seen for
the last time in life. The head of Engel was
noxt covered, then Fischer, and Parsons
last Fischer's head moved up end down in
tie direction of the sheriff, who, with his
hands upon the iron railing of the gallery,
was ready to give the signal.
There was a moment of death like still
ness. Then clear and distinct came the
voice of Spies. His form Strengthened up.
The muslin seemed TO move in harmony
with his bps "Our silence is more power
full than speech" That was all, but there
was e ring to it that echoed far a way down
the corridor. Silence again reigned for q
second. Then in a round full voice q shout,
"Hul'rah for Anarchy" came from Engel.
Another pause was broken by the voice Of
Fischer "This is the happiest moment oil
my iife." Then the clear, well modulatel
voice OF Parsons broke the oppressive still
ness There was not that e-1thusiastio ring
in it which marked the Utterances of the
others 1t was not the voice of jud "a de-
Iivering q decision, scarcely definable
pause between each word: "Shall be al
lowed to speak. Oh men and women Of
dear America The sheriff shifted his pc
sition q little; he was several feet away from
the speaker but the speaker nus5 have seer
the movement through the folds of the cap
There was a rising infection in his voice
not so much of pleading as of demand, Lei
ms speak, Sheriff Matson,n is what he said
Let the voice Of the people be heard -
Down went the drop. The last words o.
Parsons had died upon his lips -Four bodies
swung i'll sempty air, aud the Haymarke
massacre was avenged.
The drop fell at 1904 From the frs
step of Spies upon the scaifold, until tbs
cutting of the rope, precisely six minutes
and three seconds had elapsed. For mo
ment after the drop had fallen not sou
stirred. A lower murmur, like pent -uI
sigh of relief went through the corridor
Then, a if moved by one common impulse
every man rose to his feet, and every ey,
was riveted upon the body of Spies. Thi
arch-Anarchist was dying hard His legs
and arms moved convulsively, with extra
ordinary rapidity as though he were aliv,
ana conscious and struggling to free him
self from the cord that bound him. Hi
whole frame was RgitatJd by a quivering
tramor. Low grOans OF horror came from
many lips, and the expression She's dyins
hard " was heard on all sides This contin
ued for over a minute, sn hour it seomed *
be-, and then the struggles grew fainter snt
lair or until they finally ceased.
The bodice of Eugel and Fischer were mo
tionless for d moment after the drop, save
for the swinging 10 and fro. Then Fisch
er's legs drew ND and down and there was {
convuisive movement "a his arms EUgeli
Btruggles were brief Parsons alone died al
though his heart had been perce3 by buk
let He came down like log. There was
not q twitch Not q single contraction OF
the muscles His neck had been broken i'll
of "a haFrs aviiAD III IL